The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Dems, GOP hold debates
Glassman, Hayes face off
TORRINGTON — Two Democratic candidates squaring off in a debate in the Republican-dominated Northwest corner brought out the party faithful Monday night to pack the City Hall Auditorium.
The candidates, Mary Glassman of Simsbury, a former first selectman of that town, and Jahana Hayes, the 2016 national teacher of the year, from Wolcott, are facing each other in the Aug. 14 primary.
The two answered a moderator’s questions during a two-hour debate on topics ranging from how to motivate independent voters to the future of Social Security benefits.
In her opening remarks, Hayes said her campaign was about the “tale of two Connecticuts.” She noticed that while campaigning around the state,“You can tell exactly where you are by the condition of the roads. Some are full of potholes and others are like driving on a smooth racetrack.”
Glassman was quick to note in her opening remarks that she is the party’s endorsed candidate. She went on to reveal that her father died in his 30s. “The U.S. government helped our family survive,” Glassman said. In response to the assistance, she said, she entered politics because, “Something always
tugged at me to give back.”
The candidates were asked what legislation they would support to help relieve the burden of student debt. Hayes answered that higher education should be more affordable. She also questioned how federal funds are used.
“There is $26 billion for a (border) wall and $25 million for Pell grants,” she said, and suggested that Washington legislators double the amount of funding provided for education.
“Keep the best and brightest in Connecticut,” Glassman said. She supports a program that would allow students who stay in the state to “work off their student loans,” with low interest rates. “That’s the power of Congress to bring success into people’s lives.”